Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of California filed 87 border-related cases this week, according to an announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The charges include bringing in aliens for financial gain, reentering the United States after deportation, and importing controlled substances.
The Southern District of California, which covers San Diego and Imperial counties, is among the busiest federal districts due to its proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border. The district includes a 140-mile stretch along the border and features the San Ysidro Port of Entry, recognized as the world’s busiest land crossing between San Diego and Tijuana.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office noted that it handles not only reactive border-related crimes but also a significant number of proactive cases involving terrorism, organized crime, drug offenses, white-collar fraud, violent crime, cybercrime, human trafficking, and national security.
Among this week’s arrests:
On September 22, Jesus Alfredo Castro Sanchez—a Mexican national—was arrested and charged with Attempted Bringing in Aliens for Financial Gain. In connection with the same incident, Marcos Octavio Huerta-Pena, Anabel Lopez, Lorenzo Martinez Mateos, and Jaime Romero Solano were arrested and charged with Attempted Entry after Deportation. Authorities reported that 11 people were aboard a 26-foot vessel intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard following a brief pursuit at sea. Castro Sanchez was identified as the captain of the boat. The Coast Guard disabled the vessel’s motor approximately nine miles north of the border before transferring those on board to Border Patrol custody at Point Loma.
On September 23, Krystal Vanessa Santibanez—a U.S. citizen—was arrested at the San Ysidro Port of Entry and charged with Importation of a Controlled Substance. According to officials, she attempted to bring 115 pounds of methamphetamine into the country by hiding it in her vehicle’s spare tire, rear quarter panel, and gas tank.
Recent court actions also included sentencing individuals with prior criminal records for illegally re-entering the United States after deportation:
- On September 22, Jose Miguel Verduzco Mendoza—a Mexican national previously convicted on weapons charges—received a sentence of 92 days in custody for illegal entry.
- On September 26, Emilio Anchundia Bailon—a 41-year-old Ecuadorian citizen—was sentenced to six years in prison for possession of over one metric ton (1,410 kilograms) of cocaine with intent to distribute while on board a vessel.
- Also on September 26, Pedro Valencia-Anguiano—a Mexican citizen previously convicted for DUI causing bodily injury involving use of a firearm—was sentenced to 89 days in custody for again entering the United States illegally.
Federal law enforcement agencies such as Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF), along with state and local partners referred or supported these immigration cases.
“Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law,” stated officials from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
